Hawaiian Airlines: flying with a musical instrument
Hawaiian (now part of Alaska Air Group; its policy links redirect to Alaska's page) offers cabin carry-on, phone-booked cabin-seat baggage, and checked options.
Cabin / carry-on
Small instrument may exceed standard carry-on dimensions if safely accommodated in a cabin stowage compartment.
Extra seat
'Cabin seat baggage' at 100% of the adult base fare plus 6.25% cargo tax; must be booked by phone. No 165 lb or seat-position rule stated.
Checked
Checked in a case designed for the instrument; max 150 in linear (flights 1-1999) or 115 in (flights 2000-2999).
Source
Hawaiian (Alaska Air Group) — Traveling with musical instruments
Small instrument may exceed the standard carry-on dimensions as long as it can be safely accommodated in a proper stowage compartment in the cabin. Cabin seat baggage (extra seat) fee is 100% of the applicable adult base fare plus 6.25% cargo tax; must be booked by phone. Checked up to 150 in linear (flights 1-1999). Hawaiian Contract of Carriage now redirects to this Alaska page.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/special-baggage/traveling-with-musical-instruments — Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Air Group, accessed 2026-07-09 · last reviewed 2026-07-09
Per instrument
How each instrument fares on Hawaiian Airlines
| Instrument | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 61-key portable keyboard | Gate-check risk | A 61-key portable keyboard in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Alto saxophone | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Banjo | Gate-check risk | A banjo in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Cello (4/4) | Extra seat | A cello (4/4) is too large for an overhead bin. On Hawaiian Airlines the standard path is a purchased extra seat (the statute's cabin-carriage right, up to 165 lb, where the airline sells one) — see the airline's seat-position and weight rules. It may also be checked within the 150-linear-inch limit. |
| Dreadnought acoustic guitar | Gate-check risk | A dreadnought acoustic guitar in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Electric guitar (gig bag) | Gate-check risk | A electric guitar (gig bag) in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Parlor / travel acoustic guitar | Gate-check risk | A parlor / travel acoustic guitar in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Trumpet | Cabin likely | A trumpet in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Ukulele (concert) | Cabin likely | A ukulele (concert) in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Viola | Gate-check risk | A viola in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Violin (4/4) | Cabin likely | A violin (4/4) in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
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